Statewide behavioral health model adopted

Lawmakers passed a bill May 18 that implements a new statewide delivery model for behavioral health service provision in Nebraska.

LB276, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Anna Wishart, adopts the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Act in an attempt to increase access to outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment through service delivery coordination with community partners.

The CCBHC program requires the state Department of Health and Human Services to develop a prospective payment system through which providers will be reimbursed based on the anticipated cost of providing required services to Medicaid recipients on either a daily or monthly basis — rather than on a fee-for-service basis.

Under the bill, DHHS is required to apply for a Medicaid state plan amendment through the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to implement the bill’s provisions by Jan. 1, 2026.

LB276 also states legislative intent to cap general fund appropriations to the program at $4.5 million annually, which will be matched by federal funding.

The measure passed on a 46-0 vote and took effect immediately.